Mechanically actuated feeding machines for use in conjunction with ironing machines



Oct. 23, 1956 F. BROAD MECHANICALLY ACTUATED FEEDING MACHINES FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH IRONING MACHINES 6 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Oct. 4, 1954 Hay/65 6/75 Inventor /fl I TA ttorney Get. 23, 1956 BROAD 2,767,492

MECHANICALLY ACTUATED FEEDING MACHINES FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH IRONING MACHINES Filed Oct. 4, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 23, 1956 1.. F. BROAD MECHANICALLY ACTUATED FEEDING MACHINES FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH IRONING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 4, 19 54 Inventor fig Mai/75 By Zwfi A iterney Oct. 23, 1956 L. F. BROAD MECHANICALLY ACTUATED FEEDING MACHINES FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH IRONING MACHINES e Sheets-heet 4 Filed 001;. 4, 1954 Oct. 23, 1956 1.. F. BROAD MECHANICALLY ACTUATED FEEDING MACHINES FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH IRONING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 4, 1954 MECHANICALLY ACTUATED FEEDING MA;- CHINES FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH IRONING MACHINES Leonard Frederick Broad, Eltham, London, England Application October 4, 1954, Serial No. 460,096

Claims priority, application Great Britain October 8, 1953 9 Claims. (Cl. 3.8-?7).

This invention relates to mechanically actuated feeding machines for use in conjunction with ironing machines and it has for its objectthe provision of meansfor feed ing a sheet onto the feed band of an ironing machine in such a manner that the leading edge of the sheet is placed on the feed band straight and parallel with the axes of the ironing machine rollers.

According to this invention the means. for feeding the sheet into the ironing machine comprises a carrier element extending transversely across the machine, gripe ping means provided on said carrier element, means for moving the carrier element towards and away from the ironing machine, and means for controlling the gripping and releasing actions of said carrier element.

The invention further embodies the provision of means for automatically spacing the, sheets fed into the ironing machine irrespective of their length, by thecarrier element which also avoids the leading edge of; a following sheet overlapping the trailing edge of the preceding sheet.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the main parts of the machine.

Figure 2 is a section on line 11-11 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 1 as seen in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 4 is a view of the upper part of Figure 2 drawn to an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a plan (partly in section) of Figure4.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of one end of the carrier element.

Figure 7 is a section on line VIIVII of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view of one end of the fixed lower member of the carrier element as viewed from arrow VIII Figure 9..

Figure 9 is a section on line IXIX of Figure 6 of the fixed lower member of the carrier element.

Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the electrical timing gear.

Figure 11 is a plan view thereof, and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic View of the electrical connections and elements.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings the machine comprises a pair of vertically disposed frame elements 1 spaced apart by suitably disposed transverse members to constitute a rigid assembly. A series of sprocket wheels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 is mounted, in suitable bearings in each of the frame elements 1, said sprocket wheels supporting and being connected by an endless chain 7. The sprocket wheels 2 are coupled together by a shaft 8 and are power driven by means hereafter de scribed so that the chains are driven in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 2.

Extending between and carried round by the two endless chains 7 is a carrier element 9 disposed parallel with the shaft 8. This carrier element comprises two coacting gripping members 10, 11 of channel or other suitable 2,767,492 Patented Oct. 23, 1956 section, the member 10 is securedto the endless chains 7 at each end bymeans of lugs 12 secured to adapter blocks 13 by bolts 13 each block being provided with holes 14 and 15 designed to receive extended pins 16 and 17 carried by the endless chains 7. The gripping member 11 is attached to the co-acting gripping member 10 by a plurality of hinges 18 arranged in pairs, each pair being spaced apart to accommodate a spring 19 mounted on and located by a common hinge pin 20, and arranged for normally urging the gripping members 10 and 11 together, additional means being provided for enabling the sheet placed, between the two members to be uniformly gripped between the two contacting surfaces irrespective of any irregularities in the edge of the material, comprising a plurality of permanent horseshoe magnets 21 secured to the member 10 of the carrier the ends of said magnets having the pole surfaces flush with the inner gripping face of said member, said magnets being secured in position by screws 22. A plurality of keepers 23, corresponding with the number of magnets, are mounted along theinner gripping face of the member 11', each keeper being at-. tachedthereto by a pair of pins 24 and retaining split pins 25 so that the keeper has a free yet limited sliding movement towards its corresponding magnet. When thegripping members 10 and 11 are brought together by the action of the springs 19, each magnet with its keeper grips its particular section of the edge irrespective of variations of thickness along the edge by reason of hems, joints or other. irregularities in the material. For the purpose of providing a temporary hold to the edge of the sheet when it is laid along the lower member 10 pending the forward movement of the complete carrier element a friction pad 26. is secured to the upper face of member 10 carrying the magnets along its entire length and a second friction pad 27 is secured to the front face of the same member, one edge of said friction pad projecting above the level of the upper face.

The power meansv driving the intercoupled sprocket wheels 2 comprises an electric motor 28 (Figure 3), speed reduction gear 29 and a chain drive comprising driving sprocket 30, driven sprocket 31, idler sprocket 32, tension sprocket 33 and chain 34. Between the motor and input shaft of the speed reduction gear is a plate clutch 34 having'driving member 35 rigidly secured to the motor shaft extension and driven member 36 mounted on the input shaft of the reduction gear by sliding key or spline. The clutch 34 is engaged by the action of the energized solenoid 37 exerting a pull on the lever 38 which is pivoted on pin 39. Disengagement of the clutch takes place when the solenoid is de-energized. On an extension of the speed reduction gear input shaft is keyed a brake drum 40having band brake 41 secured to a lever 43 hinged to the frame element 1 by a pin 44. Brake pressure is applied by spring 45 and released by solenoid 46 when energized, the solenoid acting through link 47. When both solenoids are energised the clutch is engaged and the brake released simultaneously. When both solenoids are de-energized theclutch is disengaged and the brake applied simultaneously.

"As; the carrier element moves downwardly after passing roundsprocket wheels 3, rollers 48 (Figure 8) which are mounted on the extended chain pins 16 and 17, coact with an arm 49 which is hinged on pin 50 and movement of the arm operates the plunger 51 of the switch which breaks the electric circuit to the solenoids 37 and 46, thereby disengagingthe clutch, applying the brake and stopping thedrive to the chains.

As the carrier. element approaches the stopping position rollers and 53 (Figures 4, 6, and 7) which are carried by supporting blocks 11 secured to each end ofthe grip.- ping member 11 engage with cams 5.4 and 55 so that members 10 and 11 are separated (Figure 4) thereby detaching the keepers from their magnets. When stopped the carrier element is in position (A) with members 10 and 11 widely separated so that the edge of a sheet may be inserted between the two members. The wide separation is obtained by the initial opening due to, the action of roller 52 on cam 54 and the final opening due to the action of roller 53 on cam 55.

After the leading edge of the sheet has been placed in the carrier element the solenoid circuit is completed by depressing foot actuated switches 56 and 57 (Figure l) positioned at each end of the machine thereby causing the brake 41 to be released and the clutch engaged. As the carrier element moves downwardly roller 52 engages with a closing cam 58 which aids the springs 19 in bringing the gripping members 10 and 11 together and permits the keepers and magnets to grip the sheet. At the same time the rollers 48 on the chain are carried beyond the arm 49, switch 51 closes completing the solenoid circuit and allowing the motion to be transmitted to the carrier element chains with the foot switches released.

Motion of the carrier element is downwards to sprocket wheels 4 and 5, upwards round sprocket wheels and 6 and horizontally towards sprocket wheel 2 around which it passes towards sprocket wheel 3. As the carrier element approaches sprocket Wheel 2 rollers 52 engage with opening cams 59 causing members and 11 of the carrier element to separate and release the leading edge of the sheet S on the feed band 60 of the ironing machine indicated by broken lines, in Figures 2 and 4. A brush 61 is, secured to gripping member 11 for the purpose of sweeping out the. leading edge of the sheet after it has been released on to the feed band. The speed of the carrier element chains is greater than that of the feed bands of the ironing machine so that there is relative motion between the tip of brush 61 and the sheet and this relative motion is accelerated as the carrier element passes round sprocket wheel 2.

Inside each supporting frame is an arm 62 (Figures 4 and 5) pivoted on pin 63 said arm supporting a roller 64 the surface of which is clothed with blanketing or other suitable material 65. The arm 62 has a cam surface 66 arranged so that as the carrier element leaves sprocket wheel 6 the block 11 carrying the rollers 52 engages with the cam surface and swings both of the arms 62 and the clothed roller 65 into the position shown by broken lines in Figure4 so as to permit the carrier element in its passage towards sprocket wheel 3 to pass below the roller 65., After passing beyond the clothed roller the arms 62 return to their original positions by gravity and the clothed roller 65 presses the sheet against the feed band and prevents it slipping thereon after the leading edge has been released. The ends of the clothed roller are supported in self aligning bearings 67.

Each arm 62 is coupled to an oil check 68 which has an arm 69 the free end of which is provided with a roller 70 mounted on a pin 70 which roller engages in a slot 71 provided in the arm 62. The oil check is arranged so that the upward movement of arms 62 is free but the downward motion due to gravity is checked and may be controlled to any degree by a suitable check device 72.

After leaving the sprocket 2 the carrier element travels to sprocket wheel 3 and downwards to the stop position A (Figure 4) for re-loading.

To facilitate the handling of the sheets there is provided a trough one form of construction being shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The trough comprises arms 73 the lower ends of which are hinged by pins 74 to the main side supporting frames 1, the upper ends being attached to a transversely arranged bar 75 which serves to support the front edge of sheet 76 of woven fabric orother suitable material the other or rear edge thereof being secured to a transversely disposed member 77 so as to form a loop as shown in Figure 2. l

Provision is made for feeding the work into an ironing machine by normal hand methods when it is not desired to use the carrier element. Between sprockets 4 and 5 is positioned a hinged plate 78 and switch 79 similar to plate 49 and switch 51 The switches 79 and 51 are electrically connected to a change over switch which enables either of the two switches to be brought into the electrical circuit of the solenoids 37 and 46 at will. By operating the change over switch the carrier element may be stopped at the lower position adjacent switch 79.

Hinged to bar is a flap 80, which flap may, by swinging same into a horizontal positon about the bar 75 and moving the bar towards the frame about the pivot pins 74, be moved to the position 80, in this position the flap 80 is supported .and located by brackets 81 secured to the main side supporting frames, and the switch 81 hereafter referred to will be actuated by the cams 81 mounted on the arms 73 thereby breaking the electrical circuit to the solenoids 37 and 46 and preventing motion of the carrier element.

Arms 62 may be raised to the position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 4 and secured there by bolts 82 attached to the side supporting frames. During movement to this position the arms coact with levers 83 of switches 84 thus again breaking the electrical circuit to the solenoids 37 and 46 and preventing motion of the carrier element.

With the carrier element in position adjacent switch 79 the flap 80 :in the position 80 and the arms 62 in position indicated by dotted lines, fiatwork may be placed on the feed bands of the ironing machine by hand.

To provide for a uniform minimum spacing between sheets fed into an ironing machine by the carrier element and to avoid the leading edge of a sheet overlapping the trailing edge of the preceding sheet, contacts for operating an electrical timing device may, as diagrammatically indicated in Figure 2, be incorporated in the machine said contacts being illustrated on an enlarged scale in Figures 10 and 11.

In the embodiment illustrated a pair of contacts 85 and 86 are secured to an insulator block 87 supported on bracket 88 secured to the transversely disposed member 77. The contacts 85, 86 are in the form of leaf springs and are made of thin bronze strip or other suit able material. Contact 85 is relatively stifl. whilst contact 86 is very flexible so that as a sheet S carried by the carrier element from the trough 1 enters the ironing machine the contact 86 is moved by the sheet into engagement with contact 85 and when the trailing edge of a sheet passes contact 86 it springs to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 10. Two or more of these contact units are equally spaced along the member 77 and are coupled together by conductors attached to terminals 89 and 90 which are connected to an electrical circuit which is closed when any pair of contacts 85 and 86 touch one another and which is open when all pairs of contacts spring apart. This circuit see Figure 12, contains an electronic control panel 91 which incorporates a solenoid operated contactor switch 92 having a time delay action device 93, the period of delay being adjustable. The solenoid operated contactor switch 92 is connected in series to the foot actuated switches 56 and 57.

-This device acts in the following manner. While a sheet is passing into an ironing machine it hangs from the feed band and brings contacts 86 to bear against contact 85 thereby completing the electrical circuit which holds the solenoid operated contactor switch 92 in the 7 moved beyond contact 86 and the preset delay interval completed; The adjustable time delay 93 is set to suit the ironing machine feeding speed so that the carrier bar cannot overtake the trailing edge of the preceding sheet irrespective of its length but delivers the leading. edge a minimum preset distance from it.

The function of the time delay action device 93 may be described as follows; the contacts 85, 86, are connected to an A. C. circuit of approximately 60 volts having high impedance generated within the electronic control panel 91. When the contacts are closed a secondary electrical circuit within the said control panel 91v is completed which prevents the solenoid operated contactor switch 92' being closed. When the contacts 85 and 86 are open the secondary circuit above referred to permits closure of the solenoid contactor switch 92 subject to the setting of the time delay action device 93.

It will be understood that the switches 81 actuated by the movement of the bar 75 carrying the cam 81 and, the switch 84 actuated by the levers 83 may serve the purpose of safety switches, as .by the operation of either, the electrical circuits to the solenoids 37 and 46 will be broken and the chain drive brought to rest.

I claim:

1. A mechanically actuated feeding machine for feeding sheets to an ironing machine, said feeding machine comprising a main frame, a carrier element extending transversely thereof and having gripping members for holding a sheet to be ironed all along the leading edge thereof, means comprising a pair of endless chains for supporting said carrier element at the ends thereof, means for imparting motion to said chains to move the carrier element through a path which takes it over'and away from the feed band of the ironing machine, said chains being driven at a speed greater than the speed of thefeed band, means operable when the carrier element is moving over said feed band for opening said gripping members to deposit the leading edge of the sheet on said feed band, means for halting said chains with the carrier element in a position away from said feed band with the gripping members open ready to receive the leading edge of a sheet, and means for closing said. gripping members after the leading edge of a sheet has been placed. between them and setting said claims in motion a am.

2. A mechanically actuated feeding machine for feeding sheets, to an ironing machine, said feeding machine comprising a main frame, a carrier element extending transversely thereof and having gripping members for holding a sheet to be ironed all along the leading edge thereof, a plurality of permanent magnets secured in one gripping member and a plurality of keepers for cooperation therewith mounted in the other gripping member constituting the gripping elements of said gripping members, means comprising a pair of endless chains for supporting said carrier element at the ends thereof, means for imparting motion to said chains to move the carrier element through a path which takes it over and away from the feed band of the ironing machine, said chains being driven at a speed greater than the speed of the feed band, means operablewhen the carrier element is moving over said feed band for opening said gripping members to deposit the leading edge of the sheet on said feed band, means. for halting said chains with the carrier element in. a. position away from said feed band with the gripping. members. open ready to receive the leading edge of a sheet, and means for closing said gripping members after the leading edge of a sheet has been placed between them and setting said chains in motion again.

3. A mechanically actuated feeding machine for feeding sheets to an ironing machine, said feeding machine comprising a main frame, a carrier element extending transversely thereof and having gripping members for holding a sheet to be ironed all along the leading edge thereof, means comprising a pair of endless chains for supporting said carrier element at the ends thereof, drive means including a clutch and a brake element for imparting motion to said chains to move the carrier element through a path which takes it over and away from the feed band of theironing machine, said chains being driven at a speed greater than the speed of the feed band, means operable when the carrier element is moving over said feed band for opening said gripping members to deposit the leading edge of the sheet on said feed band, means for halting said chains with the carrier element in a position away from said feed band with the gripping members open ready to receive the leading edge of a sheet, asolenoid circuit adapted to control the release of the brake element and the engagement of the clutch element of said drive means, foot actuated switches for completing said solenoid circuit and setting said chains in motion again and a closing cam for bringing the gripping mem bers together on the initial movement of the chains to grip the leading edge of the sheet.

4. A mechanically actuated feeding machine for, feeding sheets to an ironing machine, said feeding machine comprising a main frame, a carrier element extending transversely thereof and having gripping. membersfor holding a sheet to be ironed all along the leading edge thereof, a multiplicity of permanent magnets secured in one gripping member and a plurality of keepers for cooperation therewith mounted in the other gripping member constituting the gripping elements of said gripping members, means comprising a pair of endless chains for supporting said carrier element at the ends thereof, drive means including a clutch and a brake element for imparting motion to said chains'to move the carrier element through a path which takes it over and away from the feed band of the ironing machine, said chains being driven at a speed greater than the speed of the feed band, means operable when the carrier element is moving over said feed band for opening said gripping members to deposit the leading edge of the sheet on said feed band, means for halting said chains with the carrier element in a position away from said feed band with the gripping members open ready to receive the leading edge of a sheet, a solenoid circuit adapted to control the release of the brake element and the engagement of the clutch element of said drive means, foot actuated switches for completing said solenoid circuit and setting said chains in motion again and a closing cam for bringing the gripping members together on the initial movement of the chains to grip the leading edge of the sheet.

5. A mechanically actuated feeding machine for feeding sheets to an ironing machine, said feeding machine comprising a main frame, a carrier element extending transversely thereof and having gripping members for holding a sheet to be ironed all along the leading edge thereof, means comprising a pair of endless chains for supporting said carrier element at the ends thereof, means for imparting motion to said chains to move the carrier element through a path which takes it over and away from the feed band of the ironing machine, said chains being driven at a speed greater than the speed of the feed band, means operable when the carrier element is moving over said feed band for opening said gripping members to deposit the leading edge of the sheet on said feed band, means for halting said chains with the carrier element in a position away from said feed. band with the gripping members open ready to receive the leading edge of a sheet, means for closing said gripping members after the leading edge of a sheet has been placed between them and setting said chains in motion again, and means for enabling successive sheets to be fed into the ironing machine with a preset and uniform spacing between them, said means comprising a plurality of electrical contacts adapted to be actuated by the sheets, said contacts being arranged in the circuit of an electrical timing device capable of being adjusted to suit the feeding speed of the ironing machine.

6. A mechanically actuated feeding machine for feeding sheets to an ironing machine, said feeding machine comprising a main frame, a carrier element extending transversely thereof and having gripping members for 7 holding a sheet to be ironed all along the leading edge thereof, means comprising a pair of endless chains for supporting said carrier element at the ends thereof, means for imparting motion to said chains to move the carrier element through a path which takes it over and away from the feed band of the ironing machine, said chains being driven at a speed greater than the speed of the feed band, means operable when the carrier ele ment is moving over said feed band for opening said gripping members to deposit the leading edge of the sheet on said feed band, means for pressing the sheet behind the carrier element against said feed band before the leading edge of the sheet has been released from the gripping members to prevent the sheet slipping on said feed band after the leading edge thereof has been re-' leased, means for halting said chains with the carrier element in a position away from said feed band with the gripping members open ready to receive the leading edge of a sheet, and means for closing said gripping members after the leading edge of a sheet has been placed between them and setting said chains in motion again.

7. A mechanically actuated feeding machine for feeding sheets to an ironing machine, said feeding machine comprising a main frame, a carrier element extending transversely thereof and having grippingmembers for holding a sheet to be ironed all along the leading edge thereof, means comprising a pair of endless chains for supporting said carrier element at the ends thereof, means for imparting motion to said chains to move the carrier element through a path which takes it over and away from the feed band of the ironing machine, said chains beingdriven at a speed greater than the speed of the feed band, means operable when the carrier element is moving over said feed band for opening said gripping members to deposit the leading edge of the sheet on said feed band, a clothed roller extending transversely of the main frame for pressing the sheet drawn behind the carrier element against said feed band before the leading edge of the sheet has been released from the gripping members to prevent the sheet slipping on said feed band after the leading edge thereof has been released, a pair of rocker arms supporting said clothed roller, cam means for rocking said arms temporarily to raise the clothed roller to allow the carrier element to pass underneath it, means for halting said chains with the carrier element in a position away from said feed band with the gripping members open ready to receive the leading edge of a sheet, and means for closing said gripping members after the leading edge of a sheet has been placed between them and setting said chains in motion again.

8. A mechanically actuated feeding machine for feeding sheets to a ironing machine, said feeding machine comprising a main frame, a carrier element extending transversely thereof and having gripping members for holding a sheet to be ironed all alongthe leading edge thereof, means comprising a pair of endless chains for supporting said carrier element at the ends thereof, means for imparting motion to said chains to move the carrier element through a path. which takes it over and away from the feed band of the ironing machine, said chains being driven at a speed greater than the speed of the feed band, means operable when the carrier element is moving over said feed band for opening said 0 gripping members to deposit the leading edge of the sheet on said feed band, a clothed roller extending transversely of the main frame for pressing the sheet drawn behind the carrier element against said feed band before the leading edge of the sheet. has been released from the gripping members to prevent the sheet slipping on said feed band after the leading edge thereof has been released, a pair of rocker arms supporting said clothed roller, cam means for rocking said arms temporarily to raise the clothed roller to allow the carrier element to pass underneath it, brush means provided on said carrier element for sweeping out the leading edge of a sheet after it has been deposited on said feed band, means for halting said chains with. the carrier element in a position away from said feed band with the gripping members open ready to receive the leading edge of a sheet, and means for closing said gripping members after the leading edge of a sheet has been placed between them and setting said chains in motion again.

9. A mechanically actuated feeding machine for feed ing sheets to an ironing machine, said feeding machine comprising a main frame, a carrier element extending transversely thereof and having gripping members for holding a sheet to be ironed all along the leading edge thereof, a multiplicity of permanent magnets secured in one gripping member and a plurality of keepers for cooperation therewith mounted in the other gripping member constituting the gripping elements of said gripping members, means comprising a pair of endless chains for supporting said carrier element at the ends thereof, means for imparting motion to said chains to move the carrier element through a path whichjtakes it over and away from the feed band of the ironing machine, said chains being driven at a speed greater than the speed of the feed band, means operable when the carrier element is moving over said feed band for opening said gripping members to deposit the leading edge of the sheet on said feed band, a clothed roller extending transversely of the main frame for pressing the sheet drawn behind the carrier element against said feed band before the leading edge of the sheet has been released from the gripping members to prevent the sheet slipping on said feed hand after the leading edge thereof has been released, a pair of rocker arms supporting said clothed roller, cam means for rocking said arms temporarily to raise the clothed roller to allow the carrier element to pass underneath it, brush means provided on said carrier element for sweeping out the leading edge of a sheet after it has been deposited on said feed band, means for halting said chains with the carrier element in a position away from said feed band with the gripping members open ready to receive the leading edge of a sheet, and means for closing said gripping members after the leading edge of a sheet has been placed between them and setting said chains in motion again.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,641,784 Sager et al. Sept. 6, 1927 1,703,586 Jahnke Feb. 26, 1929 2,557,492 Young June 19, 1951 

